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Africa and its many third-world countries have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the effects of globalization, while manipulating it to provide a powerful architectural identity. A truly Afrocentric architectural theory would also have the
potential to serve as a template for other nations, like Japan, who are searching for an architectural identity.
The Problem
A prominent issue addressed here is the concerned with “Westernization” and the trend of American and European architects to build in places where they do not understand the culture. The westernization of Africa, however, is not a topic heavily discussed in realm of architectural theory. This is partly due to the lack of major projects on the continent, but it is also due to the history of abuse and the imposing of ideals from western Europe and Arab countries. Africa was a place that needed “fixed”, in our minds, and architects did not feel the need to understand a
“subordinate” culture. While this has changed to some extent today, the Western gaze on Africa is still viewed through a distorted lens.
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Tags: Africa, afrocentric, architectural, Architecture, globalization, theory
